Whole colonies of stray cats, as well as family pets, have died after eating rodents killed by poison that appears to have been put in place by the local council. I have found cats under my care dead with frothy mouths and bleeding noses and I want to publicly shame those who have placed the poison.

I understand the need to control rodents, but there are ways! One could argue that the cats are strays but does that give us the right to kill them? And poisoned rodents travel far; they can end up in someone’s yard or even in their home! They can end up being eaten by livestock that, in turn, is eaten by people!

The local council, or the members concerned, should at least advise residents when and where the poison is being placed, and, above all, signs should be placed where the poison is so that a person walking his dog can avoid the area. That would be the civilized way. Poisons carry warnings about having to be handled with care and kept out of the reach of children and not to be scattered around without warning!

I appeal to animal welfare organisations to take action, as such incidents can be occurring elsewhere. And let’s not beat about the bush: it is not a farfetched idea that a cat exposed to rodenticide could end up on a menu under another name!

Anita Dale

QALA